Liberia: Women with Initiatives Empowers Marginalized Communities with Education and Economic Opportunity

MONROVIA– Women with Initiatives, Inc. (WWI), a non-profit organization based in Germantown, Maryland, is making a significant impact on marginalized women and children in underserved communities across North America, the Caribbean, and Africa.

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By G. Watson Richards, contributing writer

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According to the organization’s President and CEO, Jessica O. Roberts-Krangar, WWI was founded after learning about the struggles of women in Liberia who were unable to access education due to financial constraints.

Madam Roberts-Krangar explained that WWI’s mission is to foster long-term self-reliance by offering education and economic opportunities, rather than providing short-term aid. She emphasized that the organization focuses on two key goals: empowering women and providing educational opportunities for children.

“One of our most successful initiatives, the Path to Prosperity (P2P) program, was launched in Liberia and offers accelerated vocational training in fields such as pastry arts, sewing, tie-dyeing, and soap making. After completing the program, women receive assistance to start small businesses, enabling them to achieve financial independence,” she explained.

Madam Roberts-Krangar highlighted that WWI trains 25 women annually in its vocational programs, with plans for expansion as funding and success allow. “In the next decade, we aim to empower 250 women across three continents. We believe that supporting women entrepreneurs strengthens entire communities,” she added.

In addition to vocational training, WWI has partnered with Sofina School in Monrovia, Liberia, to offer need-based scholarships for K1 to 12-grade students from impoverished families, many of whom are orphans or come from single-parent homes.

“In the 2022/2023 school year, WWI sponsored 28 children and intends to continue supporting 25 students annually. Our commitment also extends to annual community outreach efforts, including clothing drives, medical supply distributions, and holiday events. Some of our notable achievements include: Distributing 100 feminine hygiene kits to teenage girls in Liberia (2021), holding clothing drives for children in Lower Johnsonville, Liberia, graduating 39 women from the Pastry Arts program (2021-2024), providing 28 K-12 scholarships to children at Sofina School (2022/2023) and donating medical supplies to Salt Rehab in Liberia (2022).”

This year, WWI continues its efforts with another clothing distribution and plans for a community feeding event in Liberia, set to reach over 200 people.

WWI’s success is largely due to the dedication of its volunteers, including a committed board and executive team. The organization relies on public donations, membership dues, and sponsorships, with nearly 90% of its efforts focused on fundraising.

Beneficiaries of WWI expressed their gratitude, particularly women who graduated from the pastry program. They noted that their lives have dramatically changed since completing the program.

 One beneficiary shared, “I am so grateful to Jessica for transforming my life. I never knew how to do anything with my hands, but now, with her help, I can earn money on my own.” Another beneficiary added, “I never used to do anything for myself, but since I graduated from the WWI pastry program, I can provide food for my family.”

They couldn’t stop thanking Jessica O. Roberts-Krangar and the partners for positively impacting their lives.

According to Madam Roberts-Krangar, over 40 women have benefited from the pastry program and are now self-sustaining. She noted that additional programs would be introduced in the coming weeks.

Looking to the future, WWI remains committed to empowering women and educating children, creating lasting change for those in need.